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Updated: May 14, 2026

An Immunohistopathologic Study to Profile the Folate Receptor Beta Macrophage and Vascular Immune Microenvironment in Giant Cell Arteritis
Published on: February 8, 2019
Diagnosis and management of giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica: challenges, controversies and practical
Sarah Louise Mackie1, Colin Thomas Pease
1Division of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Disease, NIHR-Leeds Musculoskeletal Research Unit, Chapel Allerton Hospital, University of Leeds, Leeds LS7 4SA, UK. s.l.mackie@leeds.ac.uk
Abstract:
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) are inflammatory rheumatic diseases that may present to a variety of disciplines and specialities. The mainstay of treatment is glucocorticoids (steroids); together PMR and GCA now represent one of the most common reasons for medium-to-high dose, long-term glucocorticoid treatment in primary care. However, adverse effects of glucocorticoids are common in these patients. Management of both diseases involves balancing the symptoms and risks of the disease against the adverse effects and risks of glucocorticoids. The crucial first step in management is to make a firm, well-documented diagnosis, since once glucocorticoids are started they can mask the symptoms of a number of other diseases. Diagnosis however can be challenging and there are still substantial gaps in the evidence for treatment.
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